Flooding reported on county roads

Otero County Director of Public Works Lex Nichols and Emergency Management Coordinator Danny Chavez reported on flooding conditions in Otero County.

Bette McFarrenbmcfarren@ljtdmail.com

Otero County Director of Public Works Lex Nichols and Emergency Management Coordinator Danny Chavez reported on flooding conditions in Otero County. There were five inches of rain at Russell Round and about three or more inches elsewhere Saturday night and Sunday morning. Nichols and Chavez were out all night checking bridges and county roads. At the time of the Otero County Commissioners meeting on Monday afternoon, County Road Y was closed between County Road 21 and Highway 71. County Road 20 between DD and CC should be open today, said Nichols.

The Otero County Ditch was breached and then the Catlin Ditch also. Timpas Creek, which normally runs about five feet, peaked at 18.4 feet, running over the road, but the dam held. The river at La Junta peaked at 11.92, but thanks to the efforts of Bud Quick and the North La Junta Conservancy District, the flooding was minor, said Chavez. A Code Red warning went out to the Timpas area effectively.

Nichols advised the public to check river levels at the Fort Lyon Canal website for accurate readings. Often the television stations take their figures from less accurate sites. The Arkansas River was at 11.92, higher than the 11.89 last year, but although it leaked over, thanks to the North La Junta Conservancy efforts, it did not breach there. He also requests that citizens stay off the threatened roads if possible, as the Road and Bridge Departments are working hard to keep them open. Quite a few wash outs are reported.

The anti-National Heritage Area group was pleased with the resolution passed by the commissioners, which follows: "Resolution 2014-09: A resolution opposing an all-encompassing National Heritage Area and study area designation of the unincorporated areas of Otero County or the inclusion of any private property in such study or area without the consent of the land owner."

Stockman Kast Ryan Co. of Colorado Springs, represented by Steven R. Hochstetter, CPA and Josh Chesebro, gave Otero County a clean audit report. Regular audits are required of all entities administering $500,000 or more of federal money.